Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-02-12
A LITTLE LOST Boy FOUND DEAD

a LITTLE LOST roy FOUND DEAD
AT THE BoTToM or PREcIPICE.-
The following touching story OF the
death OF an interesting little boy is TAX
en- from the Moundsville Herald: One
of the most serious affairs occurred in
this vicinity last Sunday evening, that
we have ever been called upon to chron-
icle. In the forenoon of that day two
little boys, George and Frank Higgins,
aged and years respectively, went
down on a branch of MILESTONE creek
to play. They were visiting at their
grandfather, Wykart's and the branch
named, heads on his farm. About 2
O'Clock in the afternoon, just as their
grandma was going to call then, George
came in and said that his little brother
told him he was coming to the house
but instead of coming to the house he
had gone up the run and, said he, 81
tried to get him to come back but he
wouldn't come" Two or three persons
Immediately started out to look for
him. The news soon spread that Slit
tie Frank Higgins is lost" and the ex-
element grew intense. Down by the
run they found his tracks, and follow
ed them down the branch about mile
to the main stream. BY this time night
had set in. Messengers were sent in
every direction to let it be known, and
by nine O'Clock there were forty or if
ty men out with lanterns. On every
hand they sparkled among the hills as
the whole country side was secured by
the eager searehers. To. increase the
alarm it was already raining and turn
ing colder. The horrible truth was
forced upon everyone that il he were not
found be would probably freeze to death
The search was continued until 8
O'Clock Monday morning with no It'd
ings of the missing child. The men
being wet to the skin. concluded to re.
pair to their homes for refreshments
and more help. Next morning the
search was continued with renewed vi
gor. Crowds came from all directions,
and the ground that had been searched
was gone over again and every nook
thoroughly Investigated. The creek
was dragged, but all in vain. Finally
little tracks were discovered in the
sand. In fear and trembling the would
be rescuers FASTENED on. No one spoke
but many cheek was bianched with
horror, for the trail was leading to a
terrible precipice which oyerlooks the
creek. Horror on horrors! has he reached
it and, in darkness, been hurled down
it's heights to be mangled and killed on
the merciless rocks below ? The hearts
of those rugged men almost cease beat
ing at the horrible, sickening thought.
But hold, the trail leads directly to the
dangerous point, and there it stops
right on the brink, but it does not turn
back Merciful Heavens then he has
fallen over Dozens Of blanched faces
peer down the cruel rocks yes, there is
some object at the bottom, but snow
has fallen and they can't make out
what tits. They FASTENED down only
grounded. There, dead and cold, was
the body of the little wanderer, en-
shrouded in the folds of the pure white
SHOWS of Heaven; fit emblem of the
little soul that had so lately winged it's
Joyous flight to Him who has said
"Suffer little children to come unto me
for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven"
About forty men were present when
the body was discovered, among the
number was the father Of the child.
He was completely Frustrated and had
to be carried from the spot. The scene
was one never to be forgotten. Strong
hearts trembled and tears rained down
cheeks that were unused to tears. 1t
was shutdown Monday evening when he
WAS fOund Snow having fallen il was
lance he fell is between forty and fifty
then bounded apd rolled 20 or 80 feet.
His neck was broken and also his back
and left arm. The distance he had
travelled was between five and six miles,
over one of the most ruggediand broken
paths In the country.